The Game-Changing Technology Helping Recover Drowning Victims in Arizona

In the wake of 13 drowning deaths in Arizona lakes and rivers this summer, the need for efficient recovery operations has become more critical than ever. Divers often face challenging conditions with zero visibility in murky waters, causing delays in locating victims and adding to the anguish of grieving families.

However, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has recently acquired a cutting-edge solution to aid in underwater recovery operations – the Oceanbotics SRV-8. This remote-operated underwater vehicle, which cost the sheriff’s office around $400,000, has already proven its worth by assisting in three successful recoveries since its introduction just over a month ago.

Sergeant Jason Gilchrist, from the Maricopa County Lake Patrol, emphasized the importance of their mission to bring closure to families by locating and recovering drowning victims. The ROV features two LED lights on the front to improve visibility, and operators can monitor sonar information and real-time video feeds on a computer screen.

This technology has been particularly instrumental in recent tragedies, such as the recovery of Afghan refugee cousins who drowned in the Salt River. With a history of responding to numerous drowning incidents, Gilchrist stressed the importance of wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) to prevent accidents, as they have not encountered any drowning cases where the individual was wearing a PFD in the last 25 years.

Gilchrist, renowned as one of the top experts in underwater search and rescue, believes that the new ROV will significantly enhance their operations and provide closure to many families in the future. With 13 drownings reported this summer alone in various locations, including Saguaro Lake, Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Canyon Lake, the Salt River, and Horseshoe, the need for advanced technology is more pressing than ever.

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